Saddled and Spurred (Blacktop Cowboys 2)

And wow, how could she tell Celia that she lied yesterday and everything had changed since the moment Bran had kissed her?

Without thought, Harper flashed back to the sensation of Bran’s lips rubbing against hers. Nibbling. Teasing. Followed by the slick feel of his tongue invading her mouth. Her belly swooped, remembering the way he tasted of coffee, and the sexy, growling groan he’d released when she didn’t rebuff his advances. Her pulse had quickened immediately as he’d pressed her hands against the wall, taking charge, imprisoning her hips between his, proving how amazing it felt with the hot, hard length of his body against hers.

She’d wanted to plow her hands into his hair and trace the contours of his scalp with her fingers as she kissed him stupid. She’d wanted those nimble fingers popping the buttons on her blouse so he could put his rough-skinned hands on her bare skin.

Was it a good sign or a bad sign that they broke the kiss at the same time? Bran’s muttered “Fuck, I . . . we . . . shouldn’t do this” delivered the blow of how he felt about their reckless lip-lock: It was a bad, bad idea.

Yes, crossing the line had repercussions for them both, but Bran hadn’t apologized.

This morning had been particularly tough. Not the physical work. When she’d arrived at the ranch, she’d bottle-fed the calves. Then she’d hopped on the ATV and checked the mama cows’ usual hiding spots for calves that might’ve dropped overnight. She’d managed to concentrate on the job until she parked the ATV in the barn and Bran finally appeared, acting brusque. He’d barely looked at her.

As soon as she’d filled him in on the chores she’d finished, he told her to take the rest of the day off and Sunday too. For once she hadn’t cared about the loss of income; she needed a chance to regroup.

So she hadn’t been thrilled to see Bran at Buckeye Joe’s even when she couldn’t help but watch him. He danced with Hank’s wife. Then some other woman she didn’t know. Not that she expected he’d ask her to dance. Not that she wanted it.

Celia slid back onto her barstool. “So how many guys hit on you in the five minutes I was gone?”

“None. As soon as I finish this drink I’m heading home.”

“I hear ya. Is it okay if I crash at your place tonight?”

“If you don’t mind sleeping on the couch.”

“It’d be better than another night in the horse trailer,” Celia muttered.

Harper threw caution to the wind. “Okay, Cele. Fess up. What’s going on at home that makes you not want to go home?”

“Everything. Nothing. Hell. The biggest thing is I feel like I don’t have a home to go to.” Celia picked at the label on her beer bottle. “Hank and Lainie are building a new house. I don’t blame them for wanting their own space. And Abe is good with it too, since technically, our parents’ house belongs solely to him. But that bitch Abe’s been dating for a few months has practically moved in. Whenever I’m home she makes me feel like an intruder in the goddamn house I grew up in. I hate it. I hate her. Everyone thinks I’m bein’ a big crybaby because I don’t like change or they think I don’t want Abe to be happy. But he’s not happy. He’s just settling for that woman and he deserves better.”

Knowing Celia, she’d probably told Abe exactly what she thought of his new squeeze.

“This is why I haven’t been coming home. When I’m on the road I can pretend everything back here is sunshine, roses, and rainbows. I have a loving family and they’re happy to see me. Instead, about an hour into my homecoming, I sense they’re counting down the hours until I leave again. Especially Nancy. I get that vibe from Abe too, and . . . Jesus, Harper, it hurts like a bitch. It was me’n him and Hank for so long. I’m seriously considering renting a place in Denver so I never have to come home again.”

A gasp sounded behind them. Their heads whipped around to see the source of the gasp: Celia’s sister-in-law, Lainie.

“What are you talking about, Celia? Never having to come home again?”

Celia’s face went red. She turned and snapped, “We were havin’ a private conversation, Lainie, so butt out.”

Lainie completely invaded Celia’s space. “Like hell. This is serious shit and I won’t let it fester another second, since it’s obviously been bugging you for quite some time. Not that you’ve said anything to any of us.”

“So? Just forget it.”

“No. Way. I’m tired of the drama. And if there’s something wrong we need to fix it. Right away. When we’re still sober.” Lainie snagged Celia’s leather coat off the extra barstool. “Come on. We’re leaving right now.”

“I’m not some teenager you can just order home, Lainie.”

“I know.” Lainie closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath. “Shit. Sorry. It rips me apart to think I’ve had any role in making you feel this way. You know in your heart that your brothers will be upset to hear this. So, please. Let’s go home and talk about it.”

“Will Nancy be there?” Celia asked snottily.

“No. Even if she is, I’ll kick her ass out. She’s not family. She has no part in the conversation. To be honest, I’ve had issues with her that I’ve let slide because I figured I’d be gone and in my own house. Now I realize that’s not the way to deal with the problem either. I’m done pu**yfooting around her and Abe.” Lainie held out Celia’s coat again. “Do you want to ride with us back to the ranch or are you okay to drive?”